LOCAL HISTORY: STOREY, Henry Wilson. HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PA. Vol. 1 The Lewis Publishing Co., 1907. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Martha Humenik. There is an HTML version of this book, with page images, on the county web site: http://www.camgenpa.com/books/Storey/v1/ Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm _______________________________________________ CHAPTER IV. INDIAN TRIBES IN THE CONEMAUGH VALLEY--FIRST WHITE VISITORS. Johnstown seems to have been in the path of travel between the East and the West at a very early period, and has held this advantage to the present day. It was the site of an Indian village, occupied principally by the Shawonese and Delaware tribes, both of whom were vigorous and deceitful, and the territory between Bedford and Loyalhanna, including our own vicinity, was the scene of much inhuman conduct by marauding Indians. The first inhabitants of the vicinity were a tribe of Shawonese Indians, of whom Okewelah was the chief, and some Delaware and Asswikale red men who continued to reside here until 1755. As to their character and nativity we give such information as is obtainable at this day as to who they were, where they came from, what they did, and when they took their departure. It will be observed that frequently a name is spelled differently in the same article -- for instance, "Okowela" and "Okowelah;" but we have quoted as it was written by the men who recorded the interesting history of our town and State, which we reproduce. The best authorities practically agree that the original grand division of the North American Indians inhabiting what is at present the Southern tier of Pennsylvania counties, from the Ohio to the Delaware, called themselves the Lenni Lenape, or the original people. These were subdivided into three principal parts--the Turtle, the Turkey, and the Wolf Tribes, and these tribes were again sub-divided into numerous classes, among them the Delawares, who were closely associated with the Shawonese; and these two classes far outnumbered all the others. In addition to the Lenapes there was, until 1712, another grand division called the "Five Nations," consisting of the Onondagas, the Cayugas, the Oneidas, the Senecas, and the Mohawks. In that year the Tuscaroras were expelled from their native place--North Carolina and Virginia- -came North 47 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. and were taken care of and made a part of that grand division, the members of which thereafter called themselves the "Six Nations." The Lenapes, however, called them Mingoes, and the French designated them as the Iroquois Tribe. The Six Nations principally inhabited the northern portion of Pennsylvania and the present territory of New York, especially the region about the lakes, although, as we have noted, many of them lived among the Delawares and the Shawonese. There were estimated to be forty--two distinct and separate tribes of Indians in the Northern portion of North America, and thirteen in the Southern part. Along the Southern line of Pennsylvania, in a direct course between Pittsburg and Philadelphia, most of the Indians were Shawonese and Delawares, although there were representatives of most every other tribe known. The Colonial Records, the Pennsylvania Archives, and "Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania" agree that the Shawonese Tribe were treacherous and ferocious, while there is a difference of opinion as to the Delawares being so classified. Some think they were as brutal and deceptive as any of the others. Anyhow, as these two tribes occupied the present site of Johnstown in their day and generation, it is important to know something about them. The Delawares were natives of Pennsylvania, and, while they were guilty of many acts of cruelty toward the whites, yet it was probably a matter of self-defense, as their property had been taken front them; by purchase, some of it, it may be true. But unprincipled white men entered their reservations and committed all kinds of crimes, which provoked them to acts of violence. By some they were said to be cowards. The best authority to controvert this objectionable view of the Delawares is the contradiction of it by William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the Union and the hero of Tippecanoe. He says: "They (the Delawares) are rarely cowards, but still more rarely are they deficient in sagacity or discernment to detect any attempts to impose upon them. I sincerely wish I could unite with the worthy German (Mr. Heckewelder) in removing this stigma upon the Delawares. A long and intimate knowledge of them in peace and in war, as enemies and friends, has left upon my mind the most favorable impressions of their character for bravery, generosity, and fidelity to their engagements." 48 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. The Shawonese were originally from the South, where the Cherokees mostly inhabited, but, being a ferocious and treacherous band, full of selfishness and self aggrandizement, they were driven out of that country and came to Pennsylvania. Bancroft says they arrived here in 1698, and other good authority makes it twenty years earlier. However, they came, and were taken care of by the Delawares, but they soon caused trouble with their new-made friends, and by them were driven from the eastern part of Pennsylvania to the headwaters of the Susquehanna, of which the west branch has its source in Cambria County. Sherman Day notes the fact that in 1732, when the number of fighting Indians in Pennsylvania was about seven hundred, one-half of them were Shawonese. Ever restless and quarrelsome themselves, and being encroached upon by the white man, they retired from one hunting ground to another until they joined the French at Pittsburg, in 1755, and finally drifted to the West. As early as 1742 the French, who then occupied the Ohio Valley, induced a large number of Shawonese to go with them. There is no doubt that the Shawonese Tribe occupied the site of the City of Johnstown in 1731, when Okowelah was their Chief, but it seems as if they were among those who joined the French. In 1758 it is said that Christian Frederick Post, a missionary, passed through the place, and reported it a deserted Indian village, with briars and underbrush growing thereon, but we doubt the correctness of this, as we believe it was another town farther north to which he referred, although the village was probably abandoned at that period. These red men of the forest were chiefs of tribes belonging to the Shawonese nation. Okowelah was the first chief of that tribe who has a local history connected with the Conemaugh, and while he was here it seems that he favored the French in their combat at arms with the English. The Shawonese were treacherous to the Delawares, as well as to Provincial authorities, who made repeated treaties with them, to which they almost always proved false. They were usually aiding the French, but, Indian like, they would sometimes deceive them and help the English. By reason of their unfaithfulness and the violations of their many treaties, the reputation of the Delawares and the Shawonese for fidelity was, at a low ebb with other tribes of 49 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Indians, particularly the Six Nations, as well as the white man. This is shown in the story of a conference held in Pittsburg in January, 1759, between the Six Nations, Delawares, and Shawonese. The chiefs were Cannewaungh, Sagowinnie, Awinne Onas, Sonoyeyough, Onistogah, Tecanashategh, Occondeuagh, Acquialinguish, Canigatt, and Snake's Son, interpreter for the Shawonese. Jo Hickman acted as such for the English. Before the conference the chiefs of the Six Nations called on Captain Ward and with apparent frankness informed him that they intended to express their minds and opinions freely, but that they were to be kept private from the Delawares and Shawonese, and proceeded thus: "Brother, the Delawares and Shawonese are not yet to be depended upon. They may tell whatever they know to the French." Another one said: "Brothers, to-morrow I will talk of this before the Delawares and Shawonese; you are not to mind what is said there, for it is outside of my lips, but what is now said be attentive to, for it comes from my heart." Then he gave five strings of wampum. The character of the Delawares and Shawonese is thus described by Colonel Henry Boquet, at a conference with the Oneidas, Onondagas, and other Indians at Fort Pitt, October 3, 1764: "Brothers, the Delawares, Wyandots, and Shawonese are a false people, and they deceive you as they have always done; if they are sincere why don't their Chiefs come to speak to me. They have, in time of peace, killed our traders in their towns; they stole all their goods, they have attacked this fort, and when I came up last year they attacked me in the woods and killed some of our people." It has been generally understood that the earliest authentic information we have had of the white man being here, was the trip of Conrad Weiser, an Indian interpreter, in 1748. This is erroneous, as Jonah Davenport and James LeTort, both Indian traders, were here in 1731, and to get a fair knowledge of the situation as it appeared to them, and as they stated it to the provincial authorities at the time, we give the statement of Davenport, as he made it; and for the same purpose the reports, opinions, and facts as set forth by others at the time are given in full, which afford conclusive evidence that Johnstown Vol. I-4 50 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. has a history directly connected with the aborigines of North America. "The Examination of Jonah Davenport, Indian Trader, Taken Before His Hon. the Lieut. Gov. of Pensa (Patrick Gordon): "This Exam't say; that he is lately come from Allegeney, where there are now Indian Settlements consisting of about three hundred Delawares, two hundred and sixty Shawanese; one hundred Asswekalaes, and some Mingoes. That last Spring was four years, as he remembers, a French Gentleman in appearance, with five or six Attendants, came down the River to a Settlement of the Delaware Indians on the Ohio River, which the Delawares call Kithanning, with an Intention as this Exam't believes to enquire into the Numbers of English Trailers in those parts, and to sound the minds of the Indians; That the said French Gentleman spoke the Shawanese Language, with whom this Exam't has conversed, but that few of the Shawanese being then there nothing of moment passed; That in the Spring of the year 1730 the said Gentleman returned with about five Attendants and had some discourse with the Shawanese, which this Exam't afterwards learnt from some of those Indians was touching the English and French Interest and endeavoring to perswade them to unite themselves to the French, and at his going away took with him ten or twelve Shawanese to Montreal, as 'tis said, some of whom at their Return told this Examinant that they had been well received and civilly treated by the French Governor, and that they intended to goe and live among the French; That last Spring the same Person returned with the same number of Attendants, one of whom was called his Brother, who being a Gunsmith wrought for the Indians during his Stay amongst them; That the French made a considerable Present to the Shawanese in Powder, Lead, and some woolen Goods, which they returned by another large Present; That several Conferences were held between them, the Result of which, as this Exam't has been informed, was that ye Shawanese should remove themselves amongst the French, which this Examinant verily believes they soon intended to doe; That the said French Gentleman again took with him at going away, fifteen or sixteen of the said Shawanese who were not returned when this Exam't left Allegeney. This Exam't likewise says that in his Dealing with the Mingoes, now called the Six Nations, he has frequently heard some of these people mention the extraordinary civility of the French to them, and that attempts were made to induce them to break off from the English interest. "JONAH DAVENPORT. "Philadelphia, Oct. 29, 1731." 51 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. It is indorsed as follows: "Cap't. Sup. Sacramentum. "Predict: JONAH DAVENPORT; Coram: P. GORDON." The statement of Jonah Davenport was also accompanied by another account of this trip by James LeTort, an Indian trader, taken before Lieutenant-Governor Gordon, to the same effect. In it he says: "This examinant says that he is lately come from Allegeney, where there are several settlements of Delawares, Shawanese, Asswikalus, and Mingoe Indians to the number of four or five hundred (Indians.)" Attached to these reports is the following tabular account of these Indians on the Conemaugh in that year: NUMBER OF INDIANS, 1731. Dist.-Connumah--Delawares; 60 men. 50 Kythenning River--Delawares mostly. Miles. Fam. Men. Captain Hill, a Alymaepy; Connumach – Delawares 20 60 Kykenhammo, Delaware; 50 Kithenning River--mostly Delawares 50 150 Sypous, a Mingoe. 16 Senangelstown--Delawares 16 50 Senangel. 60 Lequeepees--Mingoes mostly and some Delaw 4 Settled families, but a great resort of those people. On Connumach Creek there are three Shawanese towns 45 200 Okowela. Asswikales 50 Families, lately from S. Caro- lina to Ptowmack, and from thence thither, making 100 men; Aqueloma, their Chief. Ohesson, upon Choniata, dist. Shawanese 20 60 Kissikahquelas. from Sasqueh 60 miles. Assunepachlaupon Choniata. dist. about 100 Miles by Delawares 12 36 water, and 50 by land from Ohesson. Achequeloma, Chief of the Asswikales, true to the English. Okowelah, a Shawanese Chief, suspected to be a favourer of ye French interest. We have quoted this report as it was made by these Indian interpreters and traders, because of its signification in locating the Indians at Johnstown and elsewhere on the Conemaugh river -- the tribes, their number, and their chiefs. In the twenty-six volumes of the Pennsylvania Archives and of the Colonial Records there is no other statement relating to any portion of the Province so distinctly and specifically made, all of which should make the people of Johnstown grateful to Jonah Davenport and James LeTort. James LeTort was a trustworthy person. A fort known as Fort LeTort was erected and named for him on the site where Carlisle, Cumberland county, is now located. This statement recorded three Shawonese towns on the 52 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Conemaugh river, and the one called "Connumah," was located where J Johnstown now stands. One of the other "three Shawonese towns" was probably at Kiskiminetas, below Saltsburg, as it is well known there was an Indian village there. At that time (1731) the Conemaugh river was known as such until it reached the La Belle, or the Allegheny river. In 1731 Okowelah was the Shawonese chief; Ackequeloma, chief of the Asswikales; and Captain Hill-a-Alymaepy, of the Delawares. It seems there were on the Conemaugh river twenty families belonging to the Delawares, with sixty men; forty-five families of the Shawonese, having two hundred braves, and fifty families belonging to the Asswikales, with one hundred men, making in all one hundred and fifteen families and three hundred and sixty men. If the ratio be the same as is now estimated, there should have been nearly six hundred Indians located along the Conemaugh. The information in reference to the Asswikales is very meager, as they were not numerous in this section of the country. From the note accompanying the statement, they had but recently come from South Carolina, and were probably a branch of the Cherokees or some other Southern tribe. We cannot locate "Ohesson upon the Choniata," but believe it is near Lewistown; nor "Assunepachlaupon," which is evidently a typographical error by making it one word, as it should be "upon the Juniata." The first account of white men trading with the Indians west of the Allegheny mountains and being in the Province of Pennsylvania is about 1728. The statements made by Davenport and LeTort in 1731 came very near to that date. Although there were one or two other trails between these points, yet it seems they were not of sufficient importance to the officials of the Province, nor to those who traveled them to make a note of the same. A slight exception must be made, however, in the case of the route through the northern part of Cambria county, which was taken by Governor James Hamilton and William and Richard Peters, secretaries, on the 16th of April, 1752. This route turned to the north at the Clear Fields, on the top of the mountain, and passed through Cherrytree and the Beaver Dams, near Hastings, toward Kittanning. It was as follows, quoting verbatim from another ancient report: 53 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. "From Philadelphia to George Croghan's (100) 100 "From George Croghan's to Auchquick, Three Springs 60 ----- "To furthermost Crossing Juniata 20 "To Frank's Town 20 "To the Clear Fields 18 "To the Head of Susquehanna, Chelisguagua Creek 25 "To the Two Licks 25 "To the Round Holes 25 "To the River Ohio or Allegheny 17 "To the Logs Town (250) 30 "To the Rusks-Kusks 30 "To Tuskerawas 60 "To Muskinong 40 "To ye Three Licks 30 "To Hockockon 50 "To the Lower Shawenese Town (270 1/2) 60 "To the first Pict Town on a Branch of Ohio 180 ----- 800" The above account is taken from the report of Hugh Crawford and Andrew Montour, the 16th of April, 1752. Twightwees appears to have been on the Ohio river, about four hundred and sixty miles below Pittsburg, and was so named because the English called the Miami tribe of Indians "Twightwees." At a meeting of the Provincial Council, held in Philadelphia on March 21, 1757, Lord Loudon was present and desired information in regard to frontier roads throughout the Province. Among others the following appears: "There are two usual Paths from the Ohio to Pennsylvania, One through Ray's Town, distant from Shippensburgh sixty-five miles, and the other thro' Frank's Town, situate at about thirty miles north of Ray's Town. A new Road was opened and cleared thro' Ray's Town over the Allegheny Hills for the use of General Braddock, and is now a good one; thro' Frank's Town Col. (Jack) Armstrong marched to the Kittannin, and it is said to be a very bad Road, abounding with Morasses and broken Hills difficult of Passage. By one or the other of these two Roads the Parties of Indians have hitherto entered the Province, their Rendezvous having usually been either at Ray's Town or Frank's Town." In 1754 John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, made a schedule of the two roads between his ferry and the Allegheny river. As it is the best proof, we give it in full as he made it: 54 HISTORY OR CAMBRIA COUNTY. From my Ferry to Geo. Croghan's 5 miles. To the Kittitany Mounts 9 " To Geo. Cowen's House 6 " To Andrew Montour's 5 " To the Tuscororaw Hill. 9 " To Thos. Mitchell's Sleep'g place 3 " To Tuscaroraw 14 " To the Cove Spring 10 " To the Shadow of Death 8 " To the Black Log 3 " Now the Road forks toward Ray's Town & Frank's Town, we continue Ray's Town Road to Allegheney. To the 3 Springs 10 " To the sidling Hill Gap 8 " To Juniata Hill 8 " To Juniata Creek at ye Crossing 8 " To the Snake's Spring 8 " To Ray's Town (Bedford) 4 " To the Shawana Cabbins 8 " To Allegheney Hill 6 " To Edmond's Swamp 8 " To Stoney Creek 6 " To Kickeney Paulin's House (Indian) 6 " To the clear Fields 7 " To the other side of the Laurel Hill 5 " To Loyal Haning [Ligonier] 6 " To the Big Bottom 8 " To the Chestnut Ridge 8 " To the partings of the roads 4 " Thence one road leans to Shanoppin's Town, the other to Kiss- comenettes, old town. To the Big Lick 3 " To the Beaver Dams 6 " To James Dunning's Sleeping place 8 " To Cock Eye's Cabin 8 " To the 4 Mile Run 11 " To Shanoppin's Town, on Allegheny River [six miles above the Ohio] 4 " To the Logs Town, down the river [fourteen miles below Pittsburg] 16 " ----- Old Roads 246 miles. Now beginning at the Black Log, Frank's Town Road. To Aughwhick 6 miles. To Jack Armstrong's Narrows, so called from his being there murdered 8 " To the Standing Stone (about 14 ft. high 6 inch square) [Huntingdon] 10 " At each of these last places we cross Juniata. To the next and last Crossing at Juniata 8 " To Water Street (branch of Juniata) 10 " To the big Lick 10 " To Frank's (Stephen's) Town [three miles below Hollidaysburg] 5 " To the Beaver Damms 10 " To Allegheny Hill 4 " To the Clear Fields 6 " To John Hartt's Sleep'g Place 12 " To the Head of Susquehannah 12 " To the Shawana Cabbins 12 " To P. Shaver's Sleeping Place, at two large licks 12 " To the 18-mile Run 12 " To the 10-mile Lick 6 " To Kiskemenette's Town on the Creek, runs into Allegheny Riv'r, 6 mil down (almost as large as Schuylkill) 10 " To the Chartiere's Landing on Allegh'y 8 " To the Kittanning Town up the River 18 " To Venango, higher up the Allegh'y 70 " Down the River from Chartiere's Land'g to Pine Creek 14 " To the Logs Town 17 " Logs Town lies due West from Harris's Ferry. Note.--John Harris told me that, he verily believed that Logs Town was 55 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. distant from his House due Vest an hundred miles less than the within acco't mentions; the road he went having so many great crooks. JOSEPH SHIPPEN, JR. It will be observed that the road forked at the "Black Log," about forty-six miles beyond Raystown, which is now Bedford. The southerly branch seems to reach the top of the Allegheny mountains at "Edmonds' Swamp," six miles from the "Stony Creek"--which is believed to be near Stoyestown, as there was a blockhouse, or barracks, named Fort Stony Creek at that place--and then six miles to "Kickenny Paulin's House" (Indian), which is on the Quemahoning creek, Somerset county, as is well known. Clear Fields and Edmonds' Swamp are located in Shade Township, Somerset county. The Clear Fields are on what is known as the John Hamer place, near the top of the mountains, between Walker's Mill, on the Lambertsville Road, and Buckstown. Edmonds' Swamp is drained by Oven Run, which empties into the Stony creek river a short distance above Forbes' Crossing. It is on the Jesse Slick farm, lying between the Forbes Road and the Stoyestown Pike. The farm known as the William Buchanan place is but a few miles northwest of Buckstown and lies to the south of the Clear Fields and Edmonds' Swamp. It is about eighteen miles from Johnstown to the Swamp, and about twenty-one to the Clear Fields. The Indian tradition as to the bare spot known as the Clear Fields is that many years ago a storm swept over the mountains and at this place the whirlwind centered, tearing up all the trees by their roots, and for some unaccountable reason trees would never grow thereafter on that soil, nothing but short, scrubby underbrush existing thereon. The Swamp is close to the old fort known as Stonycreek, a few miles from Stoyestown. Mr. Weiser was a colonel in His Majesty's troops, as well as an Indian Commissioner and interpreter, and a friend of Thomas and Richard Penn, representing them as their attorney in fact, in the Indian treaty at Easton on October 23, 1758. Mr. Weiser died in 1761, leaving but one son-Samuel--to survive. He was a man of great intelligence, diplomacy, and courage, and had the entire confidence of the Indians. His character can be best given by the following letter: Mr. Richard Peters. "SIR: If the Governor won't meet the Indians this evening only to shake hands with them, and signify his Satisfaction to see them in town, and leave Business to other day when they are 56 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. recovered from their fatigue, I will say that he does not act the part of a well-wisher to his Majesty's people & interest at this Critical time. You may let him know, so here is my hand to my saying so. I am, sir, a loyal subject, and a well-wisher to my Country. CONRAD WEISER. "PHILADELPHIA, July the 6th [1758), at half an hour after five." It seems that Weiser had arranged a meeting between the Indians and the provincial officers, but that Governor William Denny was inclined to postpone it to another time, in consequence of which this letter was written to Mr. Peters, the secretary. On his trip to the Ohio in 1748, he made the following notes in his journal. Aug. Miles. 18, From the Black Log to within two miles of the Stand- ing Run 24 19, Traveled twelve miles this day 12 20, Came to Frank's Town 26 22, Crossed Allegheny Hill & came to the Clear Fields 16 23, Came to Shawonese Cabbins 34 24, Came to the ten mile Lick 32 25, Crossed Kisky Monitas Creek & came to Ohio 26 ----- 170 NOTE--The Black Log is 8 or 10 miles southeast of the Three Springs, and Frank's Town lies to ye north, so that there must be a deduction of at least twenty miles. In other notes he further adds: Aug'st 11. Set out front my house R came to James Galbreath that day, 30 miles. 12th, Came to George Crogllan's, 5 miles. 13th, To Robert Dunning's, 20 miles. 14th. To the Tuscarrora Path, 10 miles. 15th & 16th, Lay by on Account of the men coming back Sick, & some other affairs hindered us. 17th, Crossed the Tuscarrora Hill & came to the Sleeping Place called the Black Log, 20 miles. 18th. Had a great Rain in the afternoon; Came within two miles of the Standing stone, 24 miles. 19th, We traveled but 12 miles; were obliged to dry our things in the afternoon. 20th, Came to Frank's Town, but saw no Houses or Cabins; here we overtook the Goods, because four of George Crogan's Hands fell sick, 26 miles. 21st, Lay by, it raining all Day. 57 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 22d, Crossed Allegheny Hill and came to the Clear Fields, 16 miles. 23d, Came to the Shawonese Cabbins, 34 miles. 24th, Found a dead man on the road who killed himself drinking too much whisky; the place being very stony we could not dig a grave; he smelled very strong; we covered him with Stones and Wood and went on our journey; came to the 10 mile Lick, 32 miles. 25th, Crossed Kiskeminetoes Creek and came to Ohio that Day, 26 miles. 26th, Hired a Canoe; paid 1,000 Black Wampum for the loan of it to Logstown. Our horses being all tired, we went by water and came that night to a Delaware town; the Indians used us very Kindly. The journal continues until September 29, 1748, when he returned to George Croghan's. This trip was made to distribute presents to the Indians, and many councils were had with them. On the 29th of August he arrived at Logstown and says: "This day news came to Town that the Six Nations were on the point of declaring War against the French, for the reason the French had Imprison'd some of the Indian Deputies." Mr. Croghan made several trips between his cabin, which was five miles above Harrisburg, and the Ohio river, in and about 1750. He was an eminent frontiersman and a colonel among the provincial men. After the fall of Fort Duquesne he located in Pittsburg and procured control of a large quantity of land, of which Schienley Park is a part. George Croghan was an ancestor of Mary Schenley, of London, who gave that beautiful place to the people of Pittsburg a few years ago. At a council held in Philadelphia on March 2, 1754, at which John Penn, Joseph Turner, and Richard Peters, members of the council, were present, a map of a road to the Ohio was considered, in the following manner: "And then Mr. Patton and Mr. Montour were examined, who did declare that the Courses and Distances from Carlisle to Shanoppin, an Indian Town on the River Ohio, near the mouth of Mohongialo, are laid down in a map wch they had presented to the Governor, and now produced to the Council with as much Care and Accuracy as in their Power, and that they believed them to be as near the Truth as it could be Known without actual Mensuration; and that the two following tables, taken from the map contain a just description of the Road as well by computation as by the Compass." 58 HISTORY 0F CAMBRIA COUNTY. The computed distance of the road by the Indian traders from Carlisle to Shanoppin's town: From Carlisle. Miles. From Carlisle to Major Montour's 10 From Montours to Jacob Pyatt's 25 From Pyatt's to George Croghan's, at Aucquick Old Town 15 From Croghan's to the Three Springs 10 From the Three Springs to Sideling Hill 7 From Sidelines Hill to Coutz's Harbour 8 From Coutz's Harbour to the top of Ray's Hill 1 From Ray's Hill to the 1 Crossing of Juniata 10 From the 1 Crossing of Juniata to Allaguapy's Gap 6 From Allaguapy's Gap to Ray's Town [Bedford] 5 From Ray's Town to the Shawonese Cabbin 8 From Shawonese Cabbins to top of Allegheny Mountains 8 From Allegheny Mountains to Edmund's Swamp 8 From Edmund's Swamp to Cowamahony Creek 6 From Cowamahony to Kackanapaulins 5 From Kackanapaulins to Loyal Hannin [Ligonier] 18 From Loyal Hannin to Shanoppin's Town near [Pittsburg] 50 The corners and distances by compass N. 20, W. 8 miles to Major Montour's. W. S. W. 20 miles to Jacob Pyatt's. N. 20, W. 8 miles to George Crogan's, or Aucquick Old Town. N. 70 W. 7 miles to the Three Springs. S. 70, W. 5 miles to Aucquick Gap. S. 70, W. 5 1/2 miles to Coutz's Harbour. S. 80; W. 9 miles to Allaguapy Gap. West 3 miles to Ray's Gap. N. 45, W. the course of the Gap. N. 63, W. 5 mile, to the Shawonese Cabbins. N. 60, W. 5 miles to the top of Allegheny Mountains. N. 75, W. 4 /2 miles to Edmund's Swamp. N. 80. W. 4 miles to Cowamahony Creek. N. 10, W. 3 1/2 miles to Kackanapaulins House. N. 64, W. 12 miles to Loyal Hannin Old Town. N. 20, W. 10 miles to the Forks of the Road. West 10 miles to ----- N. 80, W. 15 miles to Shanoppins Town. There is no doubt that Cowamahony Creek is the same as Qnemahoning, as we know it. The computations made from a map prepared by Messrs. Patton and Montour are twofold-- first, by the estimated distances from point to point, as the best road would lead, to pass around hills and gulches; and, secondly, by an air line--as the 59 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. bird flies. It will be observed that the distance by the trail from the "top of the Allegheny Mountains to Kackanapaulins" is nineteen miles, while by the air line it is only twelve; and from "Kackanapaulins to Loyal Hannin" it is eighteen miles by the road, and in an air line it is north 64° west, twelve miles distant. These measurements are practically correct, and these gentlemen did a service of great value to themselves, their descendants, and their descendants' neighbors. When the same question was under consideration Mr. William West, a surveyor, presented the following to the Governor: "SIR: Agreeably to your request I herewith send you the Latitude of Shannoppin's Town as taken by Col. Fry the 16th of June, 1752. I likewise send You the computed Miles from the Three Springs to Shanoppin's Town. I begin there as I take it to be near the same Meridian with the Big Cove, or rather a little to the eastward of it. You will observe that the Road is very crooked, for there being many Hills, we were obliged to make many Windings to come at proper Places to cross them. About a mile from Shanoppin's Town Sun's Meridian altitude 16th June 1752 72 54° 90 ------- Zenith Distance 17 6 Sun's Declination 23 21 ------- Latitude of Shanoppin's Town 40 27 ======= Miles. From the Three Springs to Sideling Hill 7 To Juniata 19 To Garrett Pendergrass' or Ray's Town 12 To the Foot of Allegheny Hill 15 To Edmunds' Swamp the other side of Allegheny Hill 12 To KeKinny Paulins 10 To Loyalhannin 20 To Shanoppin's Town 50 ------- 145 "I went to the Log's Town in company with Capt. Thomas McKee, Mr. John Carson, and three Indian' traders, from whom I had the within computed distances, which in many places I think are estimated more miles than they would measure, and in some Places We traveled many Miles to make a few Westing, 60 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. particularly from the Shawonese Cabbins to KeKinny Paulins, which altho' it is computed near thirty miles I do not think make Ten miles Westing. "I am Your Honor's most humble servant, WM. WEST. Mr. Patten, also, says "he rode in four days from Ohio the Frank's Town Road to Peter Shearer's, about four miles from Susquehanna River, in June, 1750, which, by the Traders computation, is one hundred and twenty-six miles." At a conference held near Fort Duquesne, on September 3, 1758, Kickanepaulin, who had taken his departure from the vicinity of the Quemahoning, his former habitation, made the following speech in behalf of other Indians to Christian Frederick Post, a missionary, and a representative of the Provincial Government. He said "Brethren, it is good many days since we have seen and heard you; I now speak to you in behalf of all nations that have heard you heretofore. "Brethren, it is the first message which we have seen or heard from you; we have not rightly heard you. "Brethren, you have told of that peace and friendship which we had formerly with you. Brethren, we tell you to be strong and always remember that friendship we formerly had with you. Brethren, we desire you would be strong, and let us have that good friendship and hence we had formerly. Brethren, we desire that you make haste, and let us soon hear of you again. [Gives a string of wampum.] "Brethren, hear what I have to say; look, Brethren, since we have seen and heard you, we who are present are part of all the several nations, which have heard you some days ago, see that you are sorry that we have not that friendship we formerly had. Look, Brethren, we at Allegheny are likewise sorry we have not that friendship with you we formerly had. "Brethren, it is good that you have held that friendship we had formerly amongst our fathers and grandfathers. Brethren, we long for that peace and friendship we had formerly. Brethren, we will tell you we must not let that friendship quite drop which was formerly between us. Now, Brethren, it is three years since we dropped that peace and friendship which we had formerly with you. Now, Brethren, it's dropped and lies buried in the ground where you and I stand, in the middle between both. Now, Brethren, since I see you, you have digged up and revived that friendship which was buried in the ground. Now you have it, hold it fast. "Do be strong, Brethren, and elect yourselves that that friendship may he well established between us. Brethren, if 61 HISTORY 0F CAMBRIA COUNTY. you will be strong, it is in your power to finish that peace and friendship well now. Brethren, we desire you to be strong and establish and make known to all the English of this peace and friendship, that it over all may be well established, as you are of one nation and color in all the English governments. "Brethren, when you have finished and agreed everywhere together on this peace and friendship, then you would be pleased to send it to us at the Allegheny. Brethren, when you have settled this peace and friendship and finished it well, and you send it to me, I will send it to all the nations of my color. "When I receive your answer and we have looked that everything is well done, so that I can send it to all the nations of my color, they will all join to it and we will hold it fast. Brethren, when all the nations join to this friendship, then the day will begin to shine clear, and as, when we once have more of you and we join together, then the day will be still and no wind or storm will come over us to disturb us. Now, Brethren, you know our hearts and what we have to say. Be strong; if you do so, everything will be well and what we have now told you, all the nations agree to join. "Now, Brethren, let the King of England know our minds as soon as possibly can." [Gives a belt of eight rows to seal the compact.] At a meeting of the Commissioners--Richard Peters, Isaac Morris, and Benjamin Franklin-- and Conrad Weiser and Andrew Montour, interpreters, and the representatives of Indians of the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawonese, Twightwees, and Onendats, held at Carlisle, October 1, 1753, Scarrooyady said: "I have something further to say on behalf of the Shawonese, Brother Onas: At the beginning of the summer, when the news was brought to us of the approach of the French, the Shawonese made this speech to their Uncles, the Delawares, saying: "Uncles, you have often told us that we were a sensible and discreet people, but we lost all our sense and wits when we slipped out of your arms; however, we are now in another's arms again, and hope we will slip out no more. We remember and are returned to our former friendship, and hope it will always continue. In testimony whereof, we give you, our Uncle, a string of ten rows.' "The Shawonese likewise at the same time sent a speech to the Six Nations, saying: "Our Brethren, the English, have treated us as people that had wit; the French deceived us; but we now turn our heads about and are looking perpetually to the country of the Six Nations and our brethren--the English--and desire you to make an apology for us.' 62 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. "And they gave eight strings of Wampum. The Delawares and Six Nations do, therefore, give up three strings to Onas, and recommend the Shawonese to him as a people who have seen their error, and are their and our very good friend." [Gave eight strings.] On another occasion Neuchecouna, Kekenatcheky, Sonatziowanah, and Sequeheton, chiefs of the Shawonese, met the Delawares and the Indians of the Six Nations, and said: "We, the Shawonese, have been misled, and have carried on a private correspondence with the French without letting you or our brethren, the English, know of it. We traveled secretly through the bushes to Canada, and the French promised us great things, but we find ourselves deceived. We are sorry that we had anything to do with them. We now find that we could not see, although the sun did shine. We earnestly desire you would intercede with our brethren-the English-for us who are left at Ohio; that we may be permitted to be restored to the chain of friendship and be looked upon as heretofore, the same flesh with them." "We let the President and Council of Philadelphia know that after the death of our chief man Olomipies, our grandchildren--the Shawonese--came to our own town to condole with us on the loss of our good King, your brother, and they wiped on our tears and comforted our minds, and as the Delawares are the same people with the Pennsylvanians, and born in one and the same country, we give some of the presents our grandchildren gave us, to the President and Council of Philadelphia, because the death of their good friend and brother must have affected them as well as us." At the conclusion of the speeches made by Shawanasson and Achainanataimu, chiefs of the Delawares, they gave a beaver coat and a string of wampum. Wampum was Indian money, and its value is thus filed by Samuel Weiser, a son of Conrad Weiser, in a report of his expenses made March 2l, 1760: "To 667 grains of Wampum made in two strings of several rows, made use of with the Indians at Fort Augusta, at 35 per hundred. Cost, £1 13s. 9d." At a meeting of the Council, held in Philadelphia, on December 29, 1755, this subject was considered and it was agreed to enter the following statement on the minutes: "All our accounts agree in this, that the French, since the defeat of General Braddock, have gained over to their interests the Delawares, Shawonese, and many other Indian Nations formerly in our Alliance, and on whom, thro' fear and their large 63 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. promises of Rewards for Scalps and assurances of reinstating them in the Possession of the Lands they have sold to the English, they have prevailed to take up arms against us and to join heartily with them in the execution of the ground they have been long meditating of obtaining, the possession of all the country between the River Ohio and the River Susquehannah." It was the Delawares and Shawonese who had pledged their allegiance to the English two years before this, at the Council held at Carlisle, but now a portion of them occupying Johnstown were helping the French. The opinion of Colonel Archibald Lochry, expressed in writing to Joseph Read, President of Council, is as follows: TWELVE MILE RUN, Westmoreland County, July 4, 1781. "We have very distressing times Here this summer. The Enemy are almost constantly in our County Killing and Captivating the Inhabitants. I see no way we can have of defending ourselves other than by offensive operations. General Clarke has requested our assistance to Enable him to carry an Expedition into the Indian Country. * * * The General's objects are the Showneys, Delawares & Wiandotts Countrys in Order to bring them to a General Engagement and if Successful He makes no doubt of Reducing these three Nations." It appears that in 1784 the southwestern portion of Pennsylvania was free from the marauding Indians, inasmuch as on the 14th of June, Christopher Hays, of Westmoreland county, wrote to John Dickinson, President of the State, as follows: "Although the Indians have been very troublesome to the Inhabitants in the Kentucke neighborhood this spring, we have had the happiness to live in the most perfect peace and security as yet, * * * as the northern Indians seem gradually disposed for peace & anxious for a treaty." Mr. George Dallas Albert, in his research of Provincial history, in the "Frontier Forts," says that the pronunciation of Conemaugh, as made by the Indians, was Quin-nim-maugh-Koong, or Can-ne-maugh, and signified Otter Creek. Also, that Stonycreek is the English for the Indian name, Sinnehanne, or Achsin-hanne; hanne signifies a stream of water. Sherman Day states that the first settlement of the Lenape Indians were the Assun-pink, or Stony creek, Indians. Loyalhanna is corrupted from Laweel-hanne, meaning the middle stream; and Kittanning from Kit- hanne, or Gicht-hanne, which signifies the main stream in that region of the country. 64 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. It is a fact well known that Indians could not pronounce "r"; they could not say rum, but called it lum, and Quaker they called Quackel. The following is a list of Cherokee names and their significance, prepared under date of June 21, 1758: Wevesong, or the Cold. Heneley, or the Common-on-Instrument to play with. Hunnegurwisky, or the Bitter. Sky Huga, or Travelar. Nethsthouwewa, or Stricker Turturwiskey, or the Forsaken. Necourraggua, or the Killer. Kinnathshia, or the Company Keeper. Keththakisky, or the Messengar. Gugkonnosky, or the Drunker. Hannechcha, or the Comer Inn. Mr. Day records the fact that one summer day, when the children and women of the Shawonese and Delaware Tribes were together gathering fruit, a feud arose between them concerning the title to a large grasshopper caught by one child and claimed by another. This involved a question of boundary and territorial rights. When the warriors, who were at that time peaceably engaged together in a chase, returned, they took part with their respective women; a sanguinary contest ensued, in which, after great slaughter, the Shawonese were defeated and were expelled from the valley. The following is a specimen slightly transposed of the language used by the Seneca Indians THE LORD'S PRAYER. Gwa-nee', che-de-oh' ga-o'-ya-geh, ga-sa-nuh Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, ese' sa-nuk-ta' ga-oh ese' sne'-go-eh ne ya-weh' yo an-ja'-geh thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth ha' ne-de-o-deh ga-o'ya-geh. Dun-da-gwa-e' wa-sa-gwus as it is in heaven. Forgive us our ong-wa-yeh'-his-heh' da-ya-ke'-a-wa-sa-gwus-seh' ho-yeh'his. debts as we forgive our debtors Da ge-oh' ne' na geh' wen-nis'-heh-deh e' na-ha-do-wen-nis'-heh- Give us this day our daily 65 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. geh oa-qua. Ha-squa'-ah e' sano' ha wa-ate keh', na-gwa' bread. Lead us not into temptation, but da-gwa-ya-dan'-nake ne' wa-ate-keh' na-seh'-eh nees' deliver from us evil for thine is o-nuk'-ta na-kuh' na ga-hus-tes-heh, na-kuh' da-ga-a-sa-uh'. the kingdom, and the power and the glory. Na-huh'-ne-ya-weh. Amen. Joe Wipey, a friendly Delaware Indian, was cruelly murdered by two renegade white men-- John Hinckston and James Cooper--while he was sitting in his canoe fishing in the Conemaugh river, near the mouth of Hinckston run, now in the Fourteenth ward of the city of Johnstown. Wipey lived in a cabin a few miles west of Johnstown, making frequent visits to Solomon and Samuel Adams and other pioneer families in this vicinity. His wanton death caused much consternation among the provincial people and the council offered a reward of five hundred pounds for the arrest of the two men. The murder occurred in May, 1774, when General Arthur St. Clair, then at Fort Ligonier, informed the governor, stating that it occurred "about eighteen miles from this place." Another friendly Indian known as "Kicky Huston," in this vicinity, had a wigwam on the hill known as "Kicky's Ridge," in Adams township. It is the first ridge on the westerly side of the summit of the Allegheny mountains on the Ashtola road, between which and the summit lays Horner's Dam. Kicky trapped beavers, and was a successful hunter for large game, such as deer and bear, keeping residents of Bedford supplied with that kind of food. Wipey and Kicky were the last of the Indian race in the southern part of Cambria county. About 1778 a number of marauding Indians in and around Hart's Sleeping Place, near Carrolltown, and along the Kittanning trail, were aiding the British troops, who then had possession of Kittanning. A party from the Juniata valley led by John Weston, started to go to Kittanning to procure assistance for a pillaging expedition in the valley; however, a friendly Cayuga Indian chief, called Captain Logan, who lived at Chinklaclamoose, on the site of the town of Clearfield, gave warning to the colonists. Captain Vol. I-5 66 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Thomas Blair successfully led a party of colonists to intercept the movement, and on their return they encamped near the "Clearfields" for the night. In the morning two of the party-- Moses Hicks and Mr. Gersham--went out to get game for food, when they were captured by the Indians, taken to Detroit, and held as prisoners by the British until the war was over.